Anyone from Poland?

forsale · 2007-09-19T14:00:47+00:00

Dd has brought home a letter from school - they are organising a history trip to Krakow witha view to visiting Auschwitz. Has nyone been? Apparently a very harrowing visit but would like to hear from anyone who has been there

Heathcliffscathy · 19/09/2007 15:04

how old is your dd.

i think you should put this in education with a title 'visit to auschwitz for dd' or something, you will get a lot more opinion.

if you do a search, there was someone whose 13 yo son was going, and there was loads of opinion on it.

my mum has been. i think it scarred her for life, although i'm not sure that is a bad thing...she was 15 though.

CountessDracula · 19/09/2007 15:04

oi bint face
on msn

CountessDracula · 19/09/2007 15:05

oh sorry for thread hijack

Original poster

forsale · 19/09/2007 15:26

thanks sophable have taken your advice

OP posts:

slotnicki · 20/09/2007 21:10

Forsale

I went to Krakow and Auschwitz about 8 years ago. You don't say how old your son is, but I am presuming that he is a teenager. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with my daughter making such a trip when she is that age, provided that I was sure that the school ensured that the visit was conducted in the right way and that shw would appreciate the experience. As her grandfather was sent there during WW2, it is very likely that we will make such a visit with her.

When we visited, I was horrified to hear a party of students discuss it as if it was a theme park - It was literally 'Lets go to Birkenou (sp) (the next camp), I've heard that it is really cool'.

Auschwitz contains many harrowing relics of the people who were sent there - Literally piles of suitcases, shoes and so on. I think that it would be important to make sure that your son had some knowledge of the Holocaust before he went and of its sheer horror. The display at the Imperial War museum would be an excellent introduction.

slotnicki · 20/09/2007 21:11

Forsale

I went to Krakow and Auschwitz about 8 years ago. You don't say how old your son is, but I am presuming that he is a teenager. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with my daughter making such a trip when she is that age, provided that I was sure that the school ensured that the visit was conducted in the right way and that shw would appreciate the experience. As her grandfather was sent there during WW2, it is very likely that we will make such a visit with her.

When we visited, I was horrified to hear a party of students discuss it as if it was a theme park - It was literally 'Lets go to Birkenou (sp) (the next camp), I've heard that it is really cool'.

Auschwitz contains many harrowing relics of the people who were sent there - Literally piles of suitcases, shoes and so on. I think that it would be important to make sure that your son had some knowledge of the Holocaust before he went and of its sheer horror. The display at the Imperial War museum would be an excellent introduction.

inglis · 27/09/2007 21:10

I have been there. Like Slotnicki i think if the trip was conducted in the right way, it would be valuable.

We were shown a very powerful video before we went into the camp. However, once in the camp something was lost. There were lots of people with camcorders, others taking photos of each other under the gates, tourbuses etc... I went in August.

It should be a harrowing visit. Your daughter should return shocked. However, like Slotnicki I got the distict impression that for some it was little more than a theme park - albeit a grisly one.

bookwormtailmum · 27/09/2007 21:18

I went to Dachau earlier this year and it was pretty harrowing for me but at the same time I'm glad that I've gone. It really is an eye-opener - nothing quite seemed real after that. Do make sure that your dd knows what is likely to be there - the Imperial War Museum has an excellent exhibition on this as other people have said.

bookwormtailmum · 27/09/2007 21:20

Inglis - There were a few people smoking when I toured Dachau - somehow I felt that was very disrespectful but I can't really explain why. I'm sure they could have gone outside to smoke (it's free to enter), or waited til they'd done. I needed a drink afterwards though

BigGitDad · 27/09/2007 21:30

I went two years ago and agree with Slotnicki's comments. Excellent advice about the Imperial War museum. I would talk about it as it can be harrowing. However I will take my children one day (I think when they are about 16ish) as I think it is important to learn about that type of history and what people can do to each other. Krakow is a beautiful city as well.
Has he seen Schindlers list, the factory is still there in Krakow albeit empty now. That might give you an idea of his reaction.
Incidentally I went in February, it was minus 14C but that made me realise what it was like for those staying there.
Also there is the TV series about Auschwitz that was on BBC2 recently that was very good and educational.